Volleyball feast being served in Toronto in May

Canada’s return to World League and Canadian Open highlight Volleyball Month

TORONTO (March 19, 2012) – A veritable volleyball feast will be served in Toronto in May with Canada’s return to the FIVB World League tournament and the massive Canadian Open being held during the week of May 17-22 in Toronto.

Canada will compete in the 16-country World League tournament for the first time since 2007. The prestigious tournament, in its 23rd year, takes place every summer, reaching all corners of the planet, offering worldwide TV coverage and the biggest cash prizes in the sport.

The opening stop on the circuit is in Toronto May 18-20 at Ricoh Coliseum with Canada playing round robin matches against world number-one Brazil, number-four Poland and Finland. Brazil and Poland are already qualified for the Olympics through their World Cup showings last year.

The Canadian men’s squad, ranked 18th internationally, is coming off a very successful 2011 season which has put it in contention to earn a spot in the Olympic Games for the first time since 1992. Last year the Canadian men defeated Slovakia and Puerto Rico in Word League qualifying and won the bronze medal at the Pan Am Cup and NORCECA Championships.

This winter Canadian players have been producing sparkling performances for their pro clubs around the world. Gavin Schmitt of Saskatoon is one of the biggest stars in the Korean Pro League while Justin Duff of Winnipeg, Gord Perrin of Creston, B.C., and national team coach Glenn Hoag helped Izmir, Turkey to a best-ever fourth place finish in the Champions League.

Ticket sales for the World League stop have been brisk with the Canada-Brazil and Brazil-Poland matches already 80 percent sold in the platinum reserved seats. Many tickets are still available general admission section but time is pressing for fans to assure their tickets. The team line-ups will be confirmed April 23.

While the World League season is kicking off, steps awayat the Direct Energy Centre 685 teams from across Canada will invade Ontario’s capital for the Canadian Open May 17-22. Come and cheer on Canada’s future generation of volleyball stars in the biggest national championship in Canadian volleyball history.

For the World League six games will be played over three days. One match will be played in the afternoon, while the other will play in the evening.